Thanks to everyone who has shared views of this weekend’s low-low tides – tonight, we have more, starting with aerial images from pilot/photographer Craig Howard, from north Beach Drive (above) to Alki …

… and Duwamish Head:

Our next view is from Jim Edwards, looking back over at Alki from Centennial Park downtown:

Donna Barnett shared video as her daughter discovered a young octopus emerging from a shell – most of the voices, she says, are the Seattle Aquarium naturalists who were nearby:

Tomorrow, another chance to explore (gently!) at low-low tide – as with the past two days, it’ll be very low in the afternoon, minus three feet and then some – Monday’s lowest point will be at 1:11 pm, -3.4 feet.

The octopus video stresses two important ideas. First, don’t take shells home – there are too many critters who need them – hermit crabs, pygmy cancer crabs, and of course things like this wonderful octopus. The second concept is mentioned but slighted a bit. Always put things back just where you found them. It’s not only important for the animals who live under the rocks, but also for the critters that live ON the rocks.

BTW, if it survives, that octopus will be approximately three times that size in a bit over two months. They gain 1% of their body weight in a day. Obviously this weight gain is a steep curve, not merely a straight line.

The overhead pictures are awesome! A reminder to be extra gentle on the beach and teach your little ones to touch gently (if at all). I use the ‘One Finger” rule with my 2.5 year old, he can touch but only with one finger really gently. I also don’t allow him to run around in low tide areas, we walk slowly, together. There are so many critters just barely under the sand that stomping around on can easily harm or kill them. I absolutely love low tide, this brief window that we get into another world. I visit the beach this time of year filled with cringes when I see it being loved to death.